Blog & Insights

Stories & Knowledge

Authentic Montessori insights, parenting guidance, and educational content grounded in AMI standards.

The Role of Routine in the Young Child's Life: Why Uniforms Support Independence and Belonging
FOR PARENTS8 min read

The Role of Routine in the Young Child's Life: Why Uniforms Support Independence and Belonging

In the carefully prepared environments of our Montessori schools, every detail is considered for its contribution to the child’s development. From the size of the chairs to the placement of the...

February 20, 2026
Breakable, Beautiful, and Real: Why Montessori Classrooms Use Authentic Materials
CLASSROOM LIFE7 min read

Breakable, Beautiful, and Real: Why Montessori Classrooms Use Authentic Materials

It is a common moment of apprehension for parents new to the Montessori approach. Upon visiting a Children’s House, they observe a young child carefully pouring water from a small glass pitcher into...

February 27, 2026
Supporting Children with Diverse Needs: The Montessori Approach to Inclusive Education
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION7 min read

Supporting Children with Diverse Needs: The Montessori Approach to Inclusive Education

The Montessori philosophy, grounded in the scientific observation of the child, has always held a deep reverence for the unique developmental trajectory of each individual. Dr. Maria Montessori’s...

March 13, 2026
Self-Construction: Understanding What Your Child Is Really Building at School
CHILD DEVELOPMENT8 min read

Self-Construction: Understanding What Your Child Is Really Building at School

*Published by Lions Gate & Petite Girafe Montessori*

March 20, 2026
Peace Education: From the Classroom to the Community
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY7 min read

Peace Education: From the Classroom to the Community

A quiet hum of activity fills the Children’s House, a child of four is deeply engaged in constructing a tower with the pink blocks, her focus absolute. Another child approaches, his eyes set on the...

March 27, 2026
The Uninterrupted Work Cycle: Why Three Hours Changes Everything
CLASSROOM LIFE7 min read

The Uninterrupted Work Cycle: Why Three Hours Changes Everything

Parents new to the Montessori approach often express a similar sequence of observations. First, a sense of quiet wonder at the calm, focused atmosphere of the Children’s House. Then, a dawning...

April 3, 2026
The Absorbent Mind: Understanding Your Child's First Plane of Development
CHILD DEVELOPMENT7 min read

The Absorbent Mind: Understanding Your Child's First Plane of Development

To observe a young child is to witness a miracle of human development. In what seems like a remarkably short period, the helpless infant becomes a walking, talking individual with a distinct and...

April 10, 2026
Cosmic Education: How Elementary Children Discover Their Place in the Universe
ELEMENTARY PROGRAM7 min read

Cosmic Education: How Elementary Children Discover Their Place in the Universe

In the Montessori elementary years, the curriculum unfolds not as a collection of disconnected subjects, but as a grand, interconnected story. This is the essence of **Cosmic Education**, Dr. Maria...

April 17, 2026
Mixed-Age Groupings: The Social Curriculum of the Montessori Classroom
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY7 min read

Mixed-Age Groupings: The Social Curriculum of the Montessori Classroom

A visitor to a Montessori classroom for the first time may be surprised to find children of varying ages working together in the same environment. Rather than grouping children strictly by their...

April 24, 2026
What Lessons Look Like in a Montessori Elementary Classroom
ELEMENTARY PROGRAM8 min read

What Lessons Look Like in a Montessori Elementary Classroom

For parents new to the Montessori approach, one of the most frequent and understandable points of curiosity revolves around the nature of ‘lessons’ in the elementary classroom. In a world where most...

May 1, 2026
Your Role in the Montessori Partnership: A Guide for Families
FOR PARENTS8 min read

Your Role in the Montessori Partnership: A Guide for Families

Welcome to our school community. Whether you are a new family joining us for the first time or have been with us for many years, we are delighted to partner with you in your child’s educational...

May 8, 2026
Language Development in the Montessori Classroom: From Sandpaper Letters to Research Papers
CLASSROOM LIFE7 min read

Language Development in the Montessori Classroom: From Sandpaper Letters to Research Papers

The journey of language is one of humanity's most profound stories, a testament to our innate desire to connect, to share, and to understand. In a Montessori classroom, this journey is not merely a...

May 15, 2026
How to Recognise Quality in a Montessori School
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY7 min read

How to Recognise Quality in a Montessori School

For parents exploring educational options for their children, the landscape of Montessori schools can be both exciting and bewildering. The name “Montessori” is not trademarked and can be used by any...

May 22, 2026
Going Out: Why Elementary Students Leave the Classroom
ELEMENTARY PROGRAM7 min read

Going Out: Why Elementary Students Leave the Classroom

In a world where education is often confined to the four walls of a classroom, the Montessori approach offers a refreshing and effective alternative. At Lions Gate & Petite Girafe Montessori, we...

May 29, 2026
Mathematics as Discovery: The Concrete-to-Abstract Pathway
CLASSROOM LIFE7 min read

Mathematics as Discovery: The Concrete-to-Abstract Pathway

In the realm of early childhood education, the mention of mathematics often conjures images of abstract symbols and rote memorisation. It is frequently presented as a rigid system of rules to be...

June 5, 2026
Nurturing the Whole Child: Movement, Nature, and Wellbeing in Montessori Education
CHILD DEVELOPMENT7 min read

Nurturing the Whole Child: Movement, Nature, and Wellbeing in Montessori Education

In an era where childhood is increasingly sedentary and mediated by screens, the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori offers a powerful and time-tested antidote. Her approach, grounded in a...

June 12, 2026
Self-Regulation and Executive Function: What Montessori Develops That Tests Cannot Measure
CHILD DEVELOPMENT7 min read

Self-Regulation and Executive Function: What Montessori Develops That Tests Cannot Measure

In a world that often seems to prioritize standardized testing and measurable academic output, it is understandable that parents may worry about their children "falling behind." We are conditioned to...

June 19, 2026
The Prepared Environment: What Makes a Montessori Classroom Different
CLASSROOM LIFE7 min read

The Prepared Environment: What Makes a Montessori Classroom Different

To the uninitiated, stepping into a Montessori classroom for the first time can be a curious experience. It is at once both familiar and strikingly different from a conventional classroom. One might...

June 26, 2026
What Makes Montessori Authentic? Understanding AMI Standards
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY5 min read

What Makes Montessori Authentic? Understanding AMI Standards

Not all Montessori schools are created equal. Learn how AMI standards ensure your child receives a genuine Montessori education true to Dr. Montessori's vision.

January 15, 2026
The Prepared Environment: Why Every Detail Matters
CLASSROOM LIFE5 min read

The Prepared Environment: Why Every Detail Matters

Discover how the carefully designed Montessori classroom — the 'prepared environment' — acts as a third teacher, fostering independence and deep concentration.

January 8, 2026
Sensitive Periods: Windows of Opportunity in Your Child's Development
CHILD DEVELOPMENT6 min read

Sensitive Periods: Windows of Opportunity in Your Child's Development

Dr. Montessori identified critical windows when children are naturally drawn to specific skills. Understanding these sensitive periods can transform how you support your child.

December 20, 2025
Montessori at Home: Practical Tips for Everyday Life
FOR PARENTS5 min read

Montessori at Home: Practical Tips for Everyday Life

You don't need special materials to bring Montessori principles home. Simple changes to your environment and approach can nurture your child's independence and love of learning.

December 10, 2025
The Three-Year Cycle: Why Staying Matters
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY4 min read

The Three-Year Cycle: Why Staying Matters

The Montessori three-year cycle is not arbitrary — it mirrors the natural rhythm of child development. Learn why completing the full cycle is essential for your child.

November 28, 2025
From Montessori to Traditional School: What Parents Need to Know
FOR PARENTS5 min read

From Montessori to Traditional School: What Parents Need to Know

Will your Montessori child thrive in a conventional classroom? Research shows they often excel. Here's what the transition looks like and how to prepare.

November 15, 2025
Neurodiversity and Montessori: A Natural Partnership
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION5 min read

Neurodiversity and Montessori: A Natural Partnership

The Montessori approach's emphasis on individual pacing, sensory engagement, and freedom of movement makes it uniquely suited for neurodiverse learners.

November 1, 2025
Cosmic Education: Montessori's Vision for the Elementary Child
ELEMENTARY PROGRAM6 min read

Cosmic Education: Montessori's Vision for the Elementary Child

Beyond the Primary classroom, Montessori's Cosmic Education connects children to the universe through interconnected stories of science, history, and culture.

October 20, 2025
Protecting the Child's Concentration: Why We Never Interrupt the Work Cycle
MONTESSORI PRACTICE6 min read

Protecting the Child's Concentration: Why We Never Interrupt the Work Cycle

Deep concentration is one of the most precious and fragile states a child can achieve. Learn why authentic Montessori guides protect it at all costs — and how parents can do the same at home.

February 10, 2026
The Open Snack: How Montessori Children Learn to Listen to Their Bodies
MONTESSORI PRACTICE5 min read

The Open Snack: How Montessori Children Learn to Listen to Their Bodies

In a Montessori classroom, there is no bell for snack time. Children learn to recognise their own hunger, prepare their own food, and care for their community — all through the open snack system.

February 5, 2026
Bilingual Education in Montessori: How Children Develop French Naturally
PROGRAMS & CURRICULUM5 min read

Bilingual Education in Montessori: How Children Develop French Naturally

At Lions Gate Montessori, children across all divisions develop French proficiency through native French-speaking guides — without replacing English as the primary language of instruction.

January 28, 2026
Beyond the Four Walls
REACHING BEYOND7 min read

Beyond the Four Walls

Montessori education places an emphasis on open-ended inquiry. As part of this, students at LGMS are given opportunities to connect with their studies first hand. The “Going Out” aspect of our...

June 2, 2021
Taking a Bite Out of the Big Apple
TECHNOLOGY & CHILDREN1 min read

Taking a Bite Out of the Big Apple

Upper elementary students also resumed their biannual participation at the Montessori Model United Nations program in New York City this year representing Bhutan and Ukraine. Much fun was also had...

March 4, 2025
Ocean Tidal Rhythms Percussion Performance
ARTS & CULTURE1 min read

Ocean Tidal Rhythms Percussion Performance

A great time was had by all this afternoon at our students’ OCEAN TIDAL RHYTHMS PERCUSSION performance led by Daniel Duggan from Rhythm Resource! An expert percussionist, Daniel enthralled our...

May 28, 2022
Home is Where the Art Is
FOR PARENTS1 min read

Home is Where the Art Is

Extended-Day and Elementary students collaborated on artwork inspired by Ted Harrison and Chinese Brush painting for ourHome is Where the Art Isauction.  We look forward to seeing everyone at Anchor...

June 1, 2018
Montessorian MVP
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY1 min read

Montessorian MVP

We’re often asked what happens when Montessori kids grow up. Well, did any of you follow this year’s NBA playoffs? The MVP, who some consider to be the greatest shooter in NBA history is… a...

June 24, 2015
Move Over, Mean Girls
PARENTING & CHARACTER1 min read

Move Over, Mean Girls

It turns out that young teen boys may actually bemore cruel, according to a recent study from theUniversity of Georgia. Interestingly, the study found that students from sixth to eighth grades –...

March 14, 2015
Do parents nurture narcissists by pouring on the praise?
FOR PARENTS1 min read

Do parents nurture narcissists by pouring on the praise?

We’ve been told how important it is to foster self-esteem, but have we gone too far withpouring on the praise? The full study can be found at:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

March 14, 2015
Extended-day Kindergarten
ARTS & CULTURE5 min read

Extended-day Kindergarten

The Kindergarten year for Primary students provides them with the opportunity to bring their educational, social, and mentorship abilities to fruition. They begin to: PRACTICAL LIFE & COMMUNITY Not...

March 6, 2015
The Teenage Brain
CHILD DEVELOPMENT1 min read

The Teenage Brain

The education program for adolescent students proposed by Dr Montessori over 90 years ago was that of a farm school. She envisioned this to be a place where students would grow their own food,...

January 20, 2015
Is loss of cursive writing affecting children’s development?
CHILD DEVELOPMENT1 min read

Is loss of cursive writing affecting children’s development?

Ever wonder why Montessori schools still use cursive? Take a look at thisMSNBC interviewwith writer, Maria Konnikova discussing herarticle(New York Times, June 2014) on cursive writing in schools and...

December 20, 2014
Creating Healthy Environments for Our Children
MUSINGS & REFLECTIONS1 min read

Creating Healthy Environments for Our Children

How can we create healthy environments for our children to thrive in today’s society? Hear what Dr. Bruce Perry has to say…. Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. is an American psychiatrist, currently the...

December 19, 2014
Montessori Builds Innovators
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY1 min read

Montessori Builds Innovators

Few of us know adults who attended Montessori schools and often wonder what the long term benefits might be. In hisarticlefor the Harvard Business Review,Andrew McAfee, co-director of theInitiative...

December 19, 2014
Why a Leading Professor of New Media Banned Technology Use In Class
TECHNOLOGY & CHILDREN1 min read

Why a Leading Professor of New Media Banned Technology Use In Class

Clay Shirky,  a professor of media studies at New York University, has banned the use of technology in his classes. Shirky holds a joint appointment as arts professor at NYU’s graduateInteractive...

November 24, 2014
Raising Successful Children
PARENTING & CHARACTER1 min read

Raising Successful Children

It’s what we all want to know, isn’t It? The secret to raising successful children. With so many “how to” books out there, where do we start? ThisNYT articleis straightforward and brutally honest....

November 16, 2014
Why Tech Executives Limit Their Own Children’s Screen Time
TECHNOLOGY & CHILDREN1 min read

Why Tech Executives Limit Their Own Children’s Screen Time

Did you know Steve Jobs and Evan Williams (founder of Twitter, Blogger and Medium) are low tech parents?Find out why…

September 16, 2014
Patricia Kuhl: The Linguistic Genius of Babies
MUSINGS & REFLECTIONS1 min read

Patricia Kuhl: The Linguistic Genius of Babies

Patricia Kuhl shares astonishing findings about how babies learn one language over another — by listening to the humans around them and “taking statistics” on the sounds they need to know. Clever lab...

August 29, 2014
From Zero to Hero
REACHING BEYOND1 min read

From Zero to Hero

Bill Gates, Sergey Brin and Larry Page have proven that indeed, life allows for the “revenge of the nerds”.  Now there’s social science research that supports this! Researchers at the University of...

June 15, 2014
The BGUTI Principle – Not!
MUSINGS & REFLECTIONS2 min read

The BGUTI Principle – Not!

This should come as no surprise to those who know us, but we don’t follow the BGUTI (Better Get Used To It) principle when it comes to preparing our students for life. The BGUTI principle is the view...

June 15, 2014
Cultivating Character
PARENTING & CHARACTER3 min read

Cultivating Character

Now that spring has sprung, our adolescent students are resuming their visits to the farm property on Wednesdays.  On our first visit this past April 2nd, we had many important tasks to follow up on,...

April 11, 2014
Practical Life Activities in the Home
FOR PARENTS4 min read

Practical Life Activities in the Home

In our previous posts,Introduction to Practical LifeandPractical Life Materials, we stressed the importance of such exercises in our classroom environments. Children are keen observers who notice all...

January 2, 2014
The Practical Life Materials
FOR PARENTS3 min read

The Practical Life Materials

A child who becomes a master of his acts through long and repeated exercises (of practical life), and who has been encouraged by the pleasant and interesting activities in which he has been engaged,...

November 12, 2013
The Library Corner
MUSINGS & REFLECTIONS1 min read

The Library Corner

All families treasure books but sometimes it is difficult to decide which books to buy and which to borrow. In our Primary classrooms, we carefully select books for our library corner. You may be...

October 22, 2013
There’s No App for Teaching Your Child to Speak
TECHNOLOGY & CHILDREN2 min read

There’s No App for Teaching Your Child to Speak

“The connection to academic success may not come directly from income, rather from something that is absolutely free.Words.” The Montessori approach to language takes the importance of words into...

October 16, 2013
What Learning Cursive Does for Your Brain
CHILD DEVELOPMENT1 min read

What Learning Cursive Does for Your Brain

We’ve been told it’s “old fashion” for our children to use cursive writing. In fact, most schools no longer teach it. So why do Montessori schools like ours still insist on using cursive? In most...

August 28, 2013
The Montessori Mafia by Peter Sims
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY1 min read

The Montessori Mafia by Peter Sims

It may seem like a laughable “only in New York” story that Manhattan mother, Nicole Imprescia, is suing her 4-year-old daughter’s untraditional private preschool for failing to prepare her for a...

July 6, 2013
TED Talk – Looking to Montessori for Education Reform
NEWS & MEDIA1 min read

TED Talk – Looking to Montessori for Education Reform

Why send your child to a Montessori school? The presentation below presents a compelling reason:

July 2, 2013
The New Yorker – Spoiled Rotten: Why To Kids Rule The Roost?
NEWS & MEDIA1 min read

The New Yorker – Spoiled Rotten: Why To Kids Rule The Roost?

Being a parent isn’t easy. We go into this without any training, and for those who live without support from extended family or peers, advice is often gleaned only from “experts” in the media. How...

June 27, 2013
The Globe And Mail – Maria Montessori: Guru For A New Generation Of Innovators
NEWS & MEDIA1 min read

The Globe And Mail – Maria Montessori: Guru For A New Generation Of Innovators

Google. Amazon. SimCity. What do they all have in common? Their founders went to Montessori schools! According to thisGlobe and Mailarticle, some companies even apply Montessori practices to their...

April 15, 2013
Eli Pariser: Online “Filter Bubbles”
TECHNOLOGY & CHILDREN1 min read

Eli Pariser: Online “Filter Bubbles”

It’s not your imagination! You and your friend could be keying the same words on your search engines and get different results. Here’s why: Continue reading→

March 12, 2013
Music And Language Acquisition
NEWS & MEDIA1 min read

Music And Language Acquisition

If music be the food of love, play on – William Shakespeare Did you know that music plays an integral part in Montessori education – and that our teachers are given lessons in music as part of...

March 10, 2013
TEDxRainier – Dr. Dimitri Christakis on Media And Children
NEWS & MEDIA1 min read

TEDxRainier – Dr. Dimitri Christakis on Media And Children

Have you noticed that t.v. programs for young children today are far morefast pacedthan ones featured 10 or 20 years ago? Montessori educators haveContinue reading→

February 22, 2013
What Computers (And iPads) Can’t Do
TECHNOLOGY & CHILDREN1 min read

What Computers (And iPads) Can’t Do

Our school hasn’t buckled under the pressure to install computer labs in our elementary classrooms.Here’s one reasonandhere’s another.

January 10, 2013
Being Autistic In An Adult World
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION1 min read

Being Autistic In An Adult World

Last year, theNew York Timesfeatured an article on the young artist, Justin Canha. This inspiring story is a testament to how children, when supported, are able to blossom – often reaching their...

March 27, 2012
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
EVENTS & COMMUNITY1 min read

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

We wrapped up the year full of fun and celebrations! Warm thanks to our Parent Support Group for the pizza and watermelon lunch at our Year-End picnic, and MaxFruit popsicles for students on our last...

June 25, 2025
Friday, June 20, 2025
EVENTS & COMMUNITY1 min read

Friday, June 20, 2025

The last two months of school were packed with events and adventures. Thanks so much for families who joined us for our Mother’s Day Tea, Parent/Child Workshop, Kindergarten Graduation ceremony, and...

June 20, 2025
Grace & Courtesy: How Prepared Adults Build Independence
MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY7 min read

Grace & Courtesy: How Prepared Adults Build Independence

In a Montessori classroom, grace and courtesy lessons are not about obedience — they are about dignity, independence, and the quiet art of living well together. And it all begins with the prepared adult.

February 15, 2026

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